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Caribbean Musical to Open Theatre Season |
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Michelle Hudson |
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Oct 1, 2003 |
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| The cast of "Once on This Island� posed for a photo during rehearsal. |
The rousing Caribbean musical “Once on This Island” will open The University of Toledo’s department of theatre and film 2003-04 season, “A Global Celebration of the Arts,” Friday, Oct. 3, in the Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre.
“Once on This Island” is a musical about the romance between a peasant girl and a rich city boy she saves from death. This calypso-flavored retelling of The Little Mermaid is based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. UT’s production will be directed by Sue Ott Rowlands, chair of the theatre and film department. Musical direction is by Ken Cooper and choreography is by Talina Tolson, both faculty members in the UT music and dance department.
“Audiences who enjoyed this summer’s production of ‘Gypsy’ will want to return for ‘Once on This Island,’” Ott Rowlands said. “‘Once on This Island’ is an incredibly uplifting musical that fills the theater with the energy of the Caribbean — the music, the drums, the dancing and the tropical colors. The play is an explosion of emotion and a celebration of life and the power of love!”
The cast features Tamika Adams, a junior in pre-med and theatre, as Ti Moune; Rose Bachtel, a junior in theatre and Spanish, as Andrea; Terrence Brown, a junior in education, as Agwe, God of Water; David Coleman, a freshman in music and theatre, in the ensemble; Zach Durnell, a sophomore in theatre and music, as Armand; David Johnson, a senior accounting major, as Tonton Julian; Jessica Keeler, a senior theatre major, as Madame Armand; community actor William Lancz, most recently seen on the UT stage as Tulsa in “Gypsy,” as Daniel; Brie-Anne Murphy, a junior in theatre, in the ensemble; Heather Rucker, a sophomore in theatre, as Erzulie, Goddess of Love; Charles Walker, a junior music major, as Papa Ge, Demon of Death; community actor Ernestine Weathers, winner of a Media Achievement Award from the Northwest Ohio Black Media Association, as Mama Euralie; Latoya Williams, a senior music major, as Asaka, Mother of the Earth; and community actor Tynesha Wilson as Little Ti Moune.
Performance dates for “Once on This Island” are Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-5, and Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 8-12 in the Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre. Curtain time for Wednesday through Saturday performances is 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12, $10 for seniors and UT faculty, staff and alumni, and $8 for students. Group tickets are available for 10 or more.
A preview performance on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. offers limited seating at a reduced ticket price of $8.
Support for “A Global Celebration of the Arts” comes from the UT Program for Academic Excellence and the College of Arts and Sciences Public Events Support Grant.
Tickets are available at the Center for Performing Arts Theatre Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and one hour prior to the show, or by calling 419.530.2375. Tickets also are available online here.
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